The incidence of HL-A antigens in dermatitis herpetiformis

Abstract

SUMMARY In dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) there are small intestinal abnormalities similar to those in adult coeliac disease (ACD) and there is evidence of other similarities between the two conditions, including immunological disturbances. Two reports of patients with ACD have shown a distinctive distribution of HL‐A phenotypes, with a high incidence of HL‐Ai and 8. A recent paper has described an increased incidence of HL‐A8 in DH. We report a similar study of patients with DH. Twenty‐one of thirty‐five patients had HL‐A8, an incidence of 60%, as compared to 33% of 175 controls. This difference is significant. The relationship of those patients with HL‐A8 to those with abnormal jejunal biopsies, and also to those with circulating auto‐antibodies, is discussed.

Histocompatibility Antigens and Myocardial Infarction

“…The frequencies of HLA-B8 and phenotype Al-B8 found in this study were comparable with those reported previously in the Scottish population (White et al 1973, Da Costa et al 1974.…”

“…This study is of particular interest since Scotland, which almost equals Finland's highest mortality rate anywhere from IHD in young men (W.H.O. 19721, also has a high frequency of HLA-B8 and A1-B8 in the population (White et al 1973, Da Costa et al 1974.…”

HLA Antigens in Dermatitis Herpetiformis and Coeliac Disease

“…The frequency of HLA-B8* (HL-A8) has been reported to be increased in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) (Katz et al 1972, White et al 1973) and coeliac disease (CD) (Falchuk et al 1972, Stokes et al 1972). An increased frequency of an MLC-activating determinant in coeliac disease has also been indicated (Solheim et al 1974).…”

Dermatitis Herpetiformis, Iodine Compounds and Thyrotoxicosis

“…1972 j White, et al, 1972) but also in thyroid disease (Grumet et al, 1973). This could be a cormecting link and whilst it might be interpreted as evidence of the (auto)-immunological nature of the two diseases it could equally well be an indication of a genetically determined disordered iodine metabolism.…”